Shoeshine device



Jan. 5, 1954 B. GAITHER 2,664,585

SHOESHINE DEVICE Filed Dec. 1, 195] Zmventor WEE/F77 @A/THER (Zia/muattorney Patented Jan. 5, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHOESHINEDEVICE Bert Gaither, Van Nuys, Calif.

Application December 1, 1951, Serial No. 259,430

2 Claims. (01. 15-265) This invention relates to a shoeshine device moreparticularly adapted for use in the home.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device of thecharacter indicated that, from a normal closed box-like condition, canbe quickly converted to an open operative condition. In the formercondition, the device serves to store shoe polishing articles and in thelatter condition, the same serves as a stand to support the foot wearingthe shoe to be shined.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shoeshine device thathas a hinged top adapted to be propped in an elevated position so thatthe upper end of the same constitutes a foot rest and to provide aportion hinged on the hinged top and adapted to be thrown open toconstitute a shelf or ledge to support shoe polishing articles withineasy access of the person using the device.

The invention also has for its objects to provide such means that arepositive in operation, convenient in use, easily installed in a workingposition and easily disconnected therefrom, economical of manufacture,relatively simple, and of general superiority and serviceability.

The invention also comprises novel details of;

construction and novel combinations and arrangements of parts, whichwill more fully appear in the course of the following description.However, the drawing merely shows and the following description merelydescribes one embodiment of the present invention, which is given by wayof illustration or example only.

In the drawing, like reference characters desi nate similar parts in theseveral views.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a shoeshine device according to thepresent invention, the same being shown in closed condition.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of said device in open operativecondition.

The improved shoeshine device that is illustrated comprises, generally,a box 5 comprised of a base 6 and a cover I connected to said base by ahinge 8 at one end, a shOe rest 9 that also comprises a carrying handlefor the box and mounted on the top of cover I, a shelf or ledge Hlcarried 'by said cover and movable on hinges ll between a positionclosing the box and forming part of cover 1 and an open positionconstituting an article-supporting shelf, a prop element l2 swingablyengaged with box base 6 and movable between a position enclosing thecontents of said base and an elevated position propping open said coverso that the uppermost portion 13 of the latter constitutes afoot-supporting portion.

Th box 5 is advantageously made of wood or like material and, ingeneral, is rectangular in form with the hinge 8 at one end. .The base 6preferably has substantial depth to provide ample space for storingbrushes, polish cloths, polish, etc., therein. Cover I may be relativelyshallower than the base, substantially as shown.

Shoe rest 9 is an auxiliary element. However, the same serves as ahandle for the box. Since it has the function of a shoe rest, element 9is preferably provided on its upper outer surface with a lining l4 ofcork or like material and said element is preferably sloped as shown sothat it may be conveniently used from a sitting position.

Member It) comprises a panel which, in closed condition, completes thetop of cover I, as shown in Fig. 1. Element 9 is mounted on said paneland the latter is held in closed position by catches I5 on both sides.Said catches are carried by the sides of box base 6 and, when holdingpanel l0 closed, also holds closed cover I. In this way, separatecatches for the cover are not needed and are, therefore, omitted.

The shelf panel I0 is supported at its free end by a cleat l6 and theportion thereof adjacent hinge ll cooperates with a transverse wall [1to prevent displacement of articles supported on said shelf when inoperative position. Between cleat l6 and wall I! is defined an opening18 through cover I, the same affording ready access to the interior ofthe base 6 when the device is arranged in operative position.

The element l2, in its simplest form, comprises a rectangular board orpanel of a size to quite loosely fit into the top of box base 6. In thepresent case, said element is hingedly connected at one end H] to thebase on the end of the base opposite to hinge 8, and, at the other end,is sup ported by a lug 20. A hole 2| in panel l2 facilitates upwardlyswinging the same on its hinged end IS. A piece of dowling may serve ashinge IS, the ends of ,the same being entered in openings provided inthe sides of base 6. The primary purpose of member I2 is its use as aprop for cover 1. Fig. 2 shows such arrangement wherein the free end ofthe prop panel is engaged with the recess 22 that is formed by a cleat23 provided across the free end of cover I.

In the above manner, a triangular support for foot rest l3 at the end ofcover 1 is provided, the support, thereby, having non-interferingrelation to the hands of the user particularly when reciprocating apolishing cloth across a shoe supported by rest l3. Moreover, the footrest I3 is brought to a relatively elevated position so that theshoe-polishing operation may be carried out in a quite comfortablestanding position. In this operative position of the device, the shelfpanel i is thrown open and is supported by handle element 9, as shown,to comprise an article-supporting means.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, height adjustment of foot rest l3 may beembodied in the device by providing for selective high or low positionof hinge l9. To this end, an upper. support. 24 is provided in" sideplates in base. 6', the; lower support comprising the base bottom 26. Aslot 21 in each plate 25 allows for adjustable move ment of hinge l9between said two supports. Ohe or more intermediate supports,similant'ors port 24 may be provided to adjustithe. elevated position offoot rest l3 as desired.

Since foot rest [3 is above-base siandbetweenr the ends thereof, thedevice is quite stableinany adjusted operative position. Said foot restI3 is lined as at 28 with cork or the like to provide a non-slippingrest. Shelf l0; because of: its more elevated position: than baseifi';adds to the facility of use of the device. Elastic: 'strapazze is undertension when cover l" is raisedz-since the same is connected-betweensaidi'c'over. and the base. Accordingly, assuranceis' had' that thecover will, at all times, seekinterlocking engagement with the free endof prop element. l2 Said strap 29' limits the rearward position'fofcover 1 and it will be evident that any suitable folding brace may beemployed for this purpose.

While the invention thathas been illustrated and described isnowregardedas theipreferred embodiment; the construction is, ofcoursa.subject to modifications'withouti departing fromthespirit and scope ofthe invention. It istherefore not desired to restrictthe invention tovthe particular form of construction illustrateiand; described, but tocover all modificationsthat-may fall within the scopeof'ther'appendedclaimsz Having thus: described the invention; what: isclaimed and desired to be'secured by -Letters Patent is:

l. A shoeshine device comprising-a flat, rectangular and relativelyshallow' openi-topped baseadapted to store shoe-shining paraphernalia, agenerally flat rectangular cover hinged at one end to said base andmovable on its hinge between a position to cover the open top of thebase and an elevated position extending at an upward angle with respectto the base, the free edge of said cover constituting a foot rest whenthe same is elevated, a rectangular member pivotally engagedwith thebase adjacentthe. end thereof oppositetatheend having the .cover hinge,said pivotal engagement comprising lateral trunnions on said member andvertically spaced pivotal and selective supports for said trunnions andadapting said member to be swung between a flat position closing,- theopen top of the base, when the trunnions are supported by the upper ofsaid supports,.andzanzupwardly angular position having.its free end inprop-supporting engagement with the free end of the cover, when saidtrunnions are supported by either of said supports, selectively, and alug im the base and opposite to-and aligned with the upper of thevertically spaced supports to": support the free end of said member whenpositioned to close the top of. the base.

2.-Aa shoeshine device according. to claim 1; said cover and: propmember, when in engagement, comprising-"a triangular. structureoverstandingthe base, the. cover having an opening therein, andaa hingedhandlemember normallyxclosingsai'div'opening. andadapted to be swungoutward .to expose said'opening and; thereby,'.give accesstothe-interiorofthe base through said overstandingstructure;

BERT GAITHER;

References; Cited-in the. file. of this patent UNITED STATES; PATENTSNumber Name Date 864,954 Craig Sept. 3, 1907 FOREIGN PATENTS NumberCountry" Date 368,917" GreatBr-itain Mar. 17, 1932 556,139 GreatBr-itain Sept. 21, 1943

